Boston Marathon Updates Qualifying Times for 2026

The Boston Athletic Association (BAA) has announced new qualifying times for the 2026 Boston Marathon, raising the bar by five minutes for most age categories. Men aged 18 to 34 must now complete a marathon in 2:55 or faster, while women need to finish in 3:25. The updates reflect the increasing competitiveness and speed of marathon runners, with BAA CEO Jack Fleming highlighting a record 36,406 applications for the upcoming 2025 race. Runners must now not only meet these qualifying times but also contend with a capped field of 30,000 participants, which further complicates the application process. The qualifying period for the 2026 race began on September 1 and will close next September, emphasizing the need for rigorous training. This change marks the first adjustment in qualifying standards since 2019, aiming to maintain high performance and challenge runners to push their limits.